U.S. presidential candidates count on Iowa caucus

Since 1972, the Iowa caucus has become the first major electoral event of the nominating process for President of the United States . It has served as an early indication of which candidates for President of the United States might win the nomination of their political party at that party's national convention. The next Iowa caucus will be held on January 3, 2008.

The Iowa caucus operates very differently from the more common primary election used by most other states. It can be defined as "gathering of neighbors." Typically, these meetings occur in schools, churches, or public libraries. The caucuses are held every two years, but the ones that receive national attention are the presidential preference caucuses held every four years. In addition to the voting, caucus attendees propose planks for their party's platform, select members of the county committees, and discuss issues important to their local organizations.

More than 5.8 million people voted for Nicholas Maduro at the presidential election in Venezuela. This is more than a quarter of registered voters. Why did those people vote for the man, who, as Western media write, took Venezuela to the brink of collapse?